Big Five: San Juan through to semi-final; San Juan 3 - 1 Signal Hill

East Zone Champions and defending Big Five Champions, San Juan, comfortably defeated Tobago Zone Champions, Signal Hill, today by 3-1 at the Larry Gomes Stadium. They will now advance to the semi-final round of the Big Five tournament where Naparima awaits after claiming the South Zone Title for yet another year. This sets up a mouth watering clash as these two teams were the finalists in last year's Big Five Competition.

The first half was completely dominated by San Juan and they were able to convert this possession to goals as they scored three unanswered goals in the first interval.

Keston Jackie was first to strike in the 8th minute. He was joined on the scoreboard in the 17th minute when Akel James headed home a Hayden John cross. San Juan continued to maintain control of the game with Signal Hill looking as though the effect of playing 3 games in 4 days was taking its toll.

San Juan scored their third goal in the 40th minute when it was James' turn to become provider for John with a well placed cross that found him unmarked in front of the goal. He made no mistake as he volleyed it into the back of the net to give his team the three goal cushion heading into the break.

The second half was more evenly matched as San Juan clearly took their foot off the accelerator and Signal Hill began pressing forward a bit more in search of goals.

Early in the second half, Signal Hill was awarded a penalty, and the Tobago team's captain Taylor made simple work of the task as he skillfully put his effort out of reach of the San Juan custodian and into the back of the net.

Despite clawing a goal back, Signal Hill failed to build any momentum in a second half that saw both teams playing some scrappy football and the game would end at 3-1.

Signal Hill head back to Tobago now to prepare for Intercol, while defending Big Five Champions, San Juan square off against defending National Intercol Champions, Naparima on Thursday at the Mannie Ramjohn in the semi-final.

Also in action on Thursday at Mannie Ramjohn are North Zone Champions, Mucurapo and Central Zone Champs, Carapichaima as they battle for a place in the Big Five final in the second encounter.

Justin Henry

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